Ghost Li’s body shook violently, and a surge of joyous expression instantly filled his face, sweeping away the long-standing heaviness that had been frozen there. He barely managed to suppress his agitated heart, but still, he could not control the slight tremor in his voice, “Please, please, esteemed elder, teach me!”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox gazed at him intently, then smiled after a moment, saying, “That woman must be someone you deeply love, right?” Ghost Li did not speak, but the longing and anxious expression on his face grew even more intense.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox shook her head and sighed, but her eyes were filled with gentle pity. In a soft voice, she said, “As you said, the woman’s body is intact. This is clearly due to some strange force that has scattered her soul. Normally, once the three souls and seven spirits are lost, even deities cannot save her. But as long as one soul remains, there is hope.”
“Though the soul is divided into three souls and seven spirits, they are all the essence of a person. The souls of the same person have a mysterious attraction to each other. Few mortals in the Middle Earth practice this, but many years ago, I witnessed an extraordinary individual performing the ‘Soul Restoring Art,’ which fully recovered the three souls and seven spirits of a man who had lost them to an evil demon.”
“Thus, although the circumstances may differ slightly, as long as your friend’s body remains intact and part of her soul is still present, there is definitely hope for salvation.”
Ghost Li’s face, which was full of excitement, suddenly furrowed when he heard the term “Soul Restoring Art.” He asked, “Elder, do you mean the ‘Black Witch Clan’ from the Southern Wilderness?”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox’s delicate eyebrows raised, revealing a hint of surprise. She nodded, “How did you know about the Black Witch Clan? They are enigmatic, and their black witches, who serve their deities, are particularly adept at such soul-related arts. If you can find a black witch, there is a high chance your friend can be saved.”
Ghost Li fell silent, and after a while, the disappointment on his face became impossible to hide. He whispered, “I heard about the Black Witch Clan ten years ago. But in these past ten years, I have visited the Southern Wilderness countless times, even venturing deep into the treacherous Ten Thousand Mountains. Despite my thorough inquiries, I found no trace of the Black Witch Clan. Everyone told me that the clan had perished over a thousand years ago…”
“A thousand years ago?” The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, who had been frowning, suddenly spoke up, interrupting Ghost Li.
“Yes, what’s wrong?” Ghost Li looked up at her.
The enchanting woman gently frowned, as if in thought. Her silky, flowing hair rested on her shoulders, and the night breeze made it dance around her face.
After a moment, she lifted her head and said, “Having been confined for so long, my mind isn’t as sharp. I need to think to remember. I encountered the Black Witch Clan two hundred years before I was imprisoned by the Burner Valley sect. That means, at least five hundred years ago, the Black Witch Clan still existed.”
Ghost Li stared intently at her, his emotions fluctuating. The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, noticing his changes, said, “Alright, alright. For the sake of being your benefactor, I will help you. Tomorrow, I will take you to the Southern Wilderness and see if there are any traces of the Black Witch Clan where I met that individual.”
Ghost Li took a deep breath, then bowed slightly, “Thank you, esteemed elder. I am forever grateful. If you can save my friend, I will fulfill any request you have in the future.”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox gazed at the man in front of her, whose face was filled with determination and a faint warmth in his eyes, as if thinking of someone dear.
For a moment, she felt a softness in her heart, reflecting that in this world, though there are men who betray, there are also those who are devoted.
The night was deep, and the surroundings were quiet. Only the distant sounds of insects echoed, low and melancholic, like a tale being told.
A gentle breeze rustled through the treetops, causing a soft, soothing sound.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox gently placed Little Gray on the ground, standing quietly in the forest. After a while, she closed her eyes, tilting her head slightly, as if listening to something or feeling the taste of freedom.
Footsteps behind her halted, and Ghost Li’s voice rang out, “It’s late, Elder. Why aren’t you resting?”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox kept her eyes closed, not turning around. She replied slowly, “What about you? Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Ghost Li paused, then said, “I can’t sleep.”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox turned around, smiled, and said, “You’re a bit nervous, aren’t you?”
Ghost Li remained silent, the newfound hope stirring his long-held despair and keeping him awake.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox smiled sweetly, her charm filling the air. She said, “There’s something I want to tell you.”
Ghost Li promptly responded, “Please, go ahead, Elder.”
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox glared at him, “Could you stop calling me ‘Elder’? You’re otherwise fine, but don’t you know that constantly calling a woman ‘Elder’ can make her feel old and is quite rude?”
Ghost Li was taken aback.
Indeed, whether a woman is eighteen, twenty-eight, or two thousand eight hundred years old, she will always fear aging…
“So, what should I call you?” Ghost Li asked cautiously.
The woman paused, then a look of resignation crossed her face. She finally said, “Well, I’ve long forgotten my original name. Since you’ve seen my true form as a white fox, you can call me Little White.”
“Little White…” Ghost Li called out awkwardly, his expression peculiar.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, now known as Little White, seemed unperturbed. She glanced at the monkey, Little Gray, who was looking around curiously, and asked, “By the way, what is the name of this monkey? You didn’t just call him the Three-Eyed Monkey, did you?”
Ghost Li replied, “This monkey is one I adopted as a child. I call him Little Gray.”
Little White, the enchanting woman, was taken aback, then laughed. She bent down, picked up Little Gray, and examined him, her eyes full of amusement, “Haha, we truly have a connection. You’re Little Gray, and I’m Little White.”
Little Gray grinned, chattering happily, and affectionately wrapped his arms around her.
Ghost Li stood by, watching the scene, unable to speak. After a moment, he shook his head and walked away silently.
The next day, the sky began to brighten, but the sun in the Southern Wilderness had yet to rise. The sky was overcast and dark, indicating a cloudy day.
Despite the lack of sunlight, the light was bright, and the air was not stifling. An occasional breeze blew, bringing a refreshing coolness, invigorating the spirit.
A cold sensation coursed through Ghost Li’s body, and a gentle warmth emanated from the Black Flame Mirror on his chest. These two distinct energies coexisted within him, each peacefully cohabiting.
Ghost Li gradually opened his eyes, a bitter smile on his face.
In truth, no one knew his condition better than he did. Last night, Little White, or the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, confirmed his state during the fierce battle with the Firebeast.
Even he was unsure how much longer his body could hold out.
He lowered his head, looking at the black staff in his hand, which had been his constant companion for so many years.
He smiled, gripping the staff tightly, as if it were a part of him.
If only he could save Bi Yao, what else mattered?
Suddenly, a gust of wind sounded above the small mountain, and a figure descended from the sky.
Ghost Li frowned, standing up and looking up, his eyes cold.
Moments later, the figure landed, the glow fading to reveal a yellow-clad figure.
Jin Ping’er!
Ghost Li’s gaze hardened, a sudden shock in his heart. This mountain was hidden, yet Jin Ping’er had found him. Had she been following him without his knowledge?
Jin Ping’er, with her familiar smile, said, “Young Master, you sure found a good place to hide!”
Ghost Li snorted, “Miss Jin, you’re quite the skilled one, aren’t you?”
Jin Ping’er, seemingly oblivious to the barb, chuckled, “I’m no match for Young Master. Last night, you caused quite a stir in Burner Valley, turning the sky and earth upside down. I’m truly impressed!”
Ghost Li’s mind raced, but he couldn’t figure out how the Happy Sect woman had found him. He remained calm, replying, “Last night’s eruption was a natural event, unrelated to me. Did Miss Jin hear anything last night?”
Jin Ping’er’s eyes gleamed, and she was about to speak when her brows furrowed. She saw a gray-furred monkey run out from behind Ghost Li, followed by a beautiful woman, her skin as fair as snow and her features exquisite. She exuded a soft, gentle grace, and she was clearly a stunning beauty.
Most importantly, Jin Ping’er noticed that the woman wore only a loose outer garment, revealing her fair skin underneath. The garment was clearly male, and she remembered seeing Ghost Li wearing it the previous night, while now, he wore nothing over his shirt.
Jin Ping’er’s eyes sparkled, and she smiled, “This sister is truly beautiful. I’ve never seen her before, why?”
She looked at Ghost Li, a smile playing on her lips, “I’ve heard much about Young Master and Miss Bi Yao’s love. She sacrificed herself to protect you, and you betrayed Azure Ethereal Conclave, joining the Holy Church and aiding the Ghost King in his conquests. You’ve risked everything to find a cure for Miss Bi Yao. Such devotion is truly moving. But time is merciless, and the past is gone. Congratulations on finding a new love, Young Master. I must visit the Ghost King and congratulate him.”
Ghost Li’s face turned icy, and he merely snorted, saying nothing.
The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, now Little White, looked at Ghost Li and then at Jin Ping’er, laughing loudly, “Miss, you misunderstand. Last night, I was attacked by bandits, and thankfully, Young Master came to my aid. The clothes are borrowed from him to cover myself.”
Jin Ping’er, with her experienced eye, didn’t believe her story. Little White’s smiling face belied any recent trauma. Jin Ping’er’s gaze lingered on Little White’s beauty, then turned back to Ghost Li, “Did Young Master find anything in Burner Valley last night?”
Ghost Li replied, “Nothing. I arrived just as the volcano erupted, so I left.”
Jin Ping’er smiled, “Unfortunately, I found nothing either. The commotion at the entrance was just a quarrel among disciples. As for the fishman, no clue.”
Ghost Li frowned, falling silent.
Jin Ping’er smiled, “Since Young Master has a beautiful companion, I won’t intrude. Farewell, and perhaps we’ll meet again in the Southern Wilderness soon.”
She smiled at Little White, then transformed into a yellow light and flew off.
Ghost Li watched her disappearing figure, his brow furrowed. Little White, holding Little Gray, approached him and said, “Did you tell her we were here?”
Ghost Li shook his head, “That’s the mystery. How did she find us? I checked, and there’s no sign of tracking.”
Little White’s eyes scanned Ghost Li, then Little Gray. She smiled, “With your power, it’s unlikely she could leave a trace. The issue might be with Little Gray.”
Ghost Li hesitated, “What do you mean, Little White?”
Little White, stroking Little Gray, said, “Little Gray doesn’t bathe, does he? The scent is on him.”
They found a clear stream to bathe Little Gray, who resisted, squirming and chattering.
Little White, using wild fruits to distract him, gently washed him. Ghost Li, observing, asked, “Why didn’t I notice the scent?”
Little White smiled, “You’re a man, and didn’t pay attention. I smelled it when I held him. It’s a faint, unusual scent. The girl is clever and powerful.”
Ghost Li snorted coldly.
The sky remained overcast, and the stream flowed. Little Gray, splashing and playing, doused Little White with water.
Ghost Li, standing by, turned away, only to hear Little White’s startled cry. Little Gray, shaking off, splashed water everywhere, soaking Little White.
Ghost Li smiled involuntarily. Despite the overcast sky, a warm feeling brewed in the air.
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